A new health crisis has emerged in western Congo, where a man with symptoms of hemorrhagic fever died last Thursday, raising alarms about a potential viral infection in addition to malaria. Health officials initially suspected malaria in an ongoing outbreak that has already killed at least 37 people, with over 80% of patients testing positive for the disease. However, the death of the man exhibiting symptoms more commonly associated with viral infections has shifted the focus to the possibility of a new, unidentified virus being involved in the outbreak.
The outbreak is centered in the Panzi area of Kwango province, where malaria is endemic and malnutrition rates are high. These conditions have complicated efforts to diagnose the illness accurately. In light of the man’s death, experts are exploring two main theories: one suggests that the outbreak could be a severe form of malaria worsened by malnutrition, while the other considers the possibility of a viral infection occurring alongside malaria. Investigations are ongoing to determine the true cause.
So far, the outbreak has affected 592 individuals, with 37 confirmed deaths in health facilities. There have also been 44 additional deaths in local communities that are still under investigation. The majority of those tested so far have shown positive results for malaria, but further testing for other possible diseases is being conducted, with results expected soon. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation as the death toll continues to rise.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most of the blood samples collected in the region have tested positive for malaria, but it is still unclear if other diseases are contributing to the outbreak. The most vulnerable group appears to be children under the age of 14, who are disproportionately affected by the illness. WHO experts, along with Congo’s National Rapid Response Team, have been deployed to the area to investigate the cause and gather crucial data.
The Panzi area is located more than 400 miles from the capital, Kinshasa, in a region that is difficult to access. This has hindered the response efforts, with teams taking several days to reach the outbreak site. Additionally, local testing capacity is limited, forcing samples to be sent to distant laboratories for analysis. The region is also dealing with a resurgence of seasonal flu, and two years ago, it was hit by a typhoid fever epidemic. These challenges, along with low vaccination rates, have left the population especially vulnerable to both malaria and other diseases.
